It's Done

Into the building quickly and our fingerprinting was done within 15 minutes. Mom was able to stay a bit longer with the kids, so we stopped and bought them bikes for Christmas. They have outgrown their old ones and both kids have been begging for bikes. After I saw the cost, that's ALL they are getting for Christmas from this Santa!
So, now starting the dash to get all the dossier stuff together. I was telling my manager that I don't know how I'm going to get the pictures of the house done since I clean one area and Julia and Rauan make a mess someplace else--and of course their bedrooms --well, on a good day I can see their floors! She told me throw everything in a box--hide the box, take a picture---the dust isn't visible! It just made me laugh!! Of course--she does have an excellent idea there........hummmmm

Update

So, we're off for fingerprinting tomorrow. Wish us luck cause my hands are so dry from work that who knows what the quality will be!! Last time we were there, my hands were so dry, the lady who was doing the fingerprints looked at my hands, put a bunch of corn huskers lotion on my hands and told me to start rubbing it in. After she scanned a couple other people, then I got fingeprinted. Learned something new that day! Otherwise, the homestudy stuff is done. She's dictating everything this week. Part of the dossier is together. Next week, I'm taking all the medical paperwork to my doctor in Cambridge. After seeing everything she is going to have to write, I have to be super nice to her. Good thing I've known her for so long! My goal is to have everything in on Dec. 15--if not sooner. Let's see how quick the approval comes after fignerprinting!

Just a little something someone sent me

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.
In horror, the mother saw her littleboy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out
"Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star."
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and
whispered in the boy's ear,
"Don't quit.""Keep playing."
Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.
Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.
The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played.Only the classic,
" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
Perhaps that's the way it is with God.
What we can accomplish onour own is hardly noteworthy.
We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can
truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."
May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.
Remember, God doesn't seem to
call the equipped, rather,
He equips the 'called.'
Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.
So touch someone by passing this little message along.May God bless you and
be with you always!
And remember ,
"Don't quit."
"Keep playing."

And on it goes!!

So, in the blink of an eye--today we received our appointments for fingerprinting. I literally just mailed out the application and I know the check just passed through yesterday (I'm an anal bank account checker). And surprise surprise--our appt. in the same day of some friends of ours. I just have this feeling I'm going to be freezing my butt off in Jan/Feb 2008. I will never complain about how slow the government is again! I mean--I literally just sent the application in! Holy moly!

Now we know it's going to happen!!!!

As most of you know, Ted and I change vehicles for work--trade vehicles, trade off shifts. Basically who has the kids has the truck, who goes to work has the car. Yes, it's all about the kids!
So, yesterday, Ted pulls in and I head out to the car. Turn the key--NOTHING!!! Not one fricking thing! So, quick phone call to work to tell them I would be late, woke up Rauan, and pushed the car out of the driveway. Ted drove the truck over the lawn (thank goodness it wasn't too wet!) and off to work we went. The car got towed later. This am got the call and yeah--not a cheap repair. So, yes this is the norm. With Julia the clutch went out on the vehicle on the off ramp of Hwy. 30, with Rauan something happened--I think it was the buick again (was that when the engine blew up?) and now this! Just a sign that God likes to give us the challenge that we'll manage no matter what. Of course, I keep saying it could have been me going to the car after work at midnight, freezing my bottom off in Lot 60! So goes life!
So, yes, slight delay on getting the dossier done. I was going to do some running today. Yeah--not happening. Julia has surgery on Thursday--so that's the rest of the week. Next Tuesday, I get to display my craniofacial nursing skills to the Wisconsin lactation consultants--and hope I don't get booed out of the room! Holy moly--where does the time go??? We filed our I600, so once we get fingerprinted I'm going to bust my butt to get everything done because apparently alot of this paperwork is only good for 3 months. Sitting at the police station with 2 kids can't be much fun--did it with 1 and I didn't like that. And she was only 2 and easily entertained!

So what the heck is going on???

Well, I have to say this is an interesting "paper" pregnancy. Now into our third adoption, I have to say this is the first one Ted is relaxed about!!! After being married for almost 9 years (gulp! that long???) and together 11--I'm seeing a whole new side to my husband.
The other interesting thing is I have a feeling things are going to go fast here. Faster then anticipated. Why???? I'm feeling the desperate need to get stuff done. Bathroom is being painted this weekend and I'm going to start work on the boys' room right after that. Lisa--any ideas yet??? The one wall is dark--and I mean dark--blue, so I've got to hit that with primer. Probably hit the spots where Rauan decided to be artistic too!!!
We took the kids trick-or- treating last night and they are literally bouncing off the walls. Work is sounding really nice right now. I'm a firm believer in "bribes"--so there is a book fair at school today. If they get their stuff cleaned up, they each get to pick out a book. Hey one place to put the energy and I might actually be able to walk through the house. Anyways, I was thinking--next year--3 kids to dress and take trick-or-treating and then 3 kids bouncing off the walls! Hummm, I might volunteer for a day shift on Nov. 1 2008!
Well folks, I have to tell you--if I can't figure out how to post pictures on here I will be switching back to the yahoo groups. For those who followed Rauan's adoption you would be familiar with it. It works pretty good.
Off to see what the kids are getting into!